The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-02-14

language OF the old Crescent City, and
this, with her lace work, occupied
much OF her time.
One bright morning the brass griffin.
OF q kno aker on the front gate OF the
cottage gave unmistakable signs that
somebody was handling it, for there
came from it's jaws rat-a-plan Of
blows that awakened the drowsy
mocking-bird in its cage and startled
| Estelle in her household duties. She
! timidily ventured out, when, with a
profusion of compliments and largess
OF smiles, old Nine. Colcon greeted the
astonished young lady. The old mad
anne, who had been friend OF the
family in better days, began by telling
OF the great difficulty she had in find
ing Estelle, and then made known the
object OF her visit. There was to be
given n grand fair for the benefit Of
the poor, and in picking out young
ladies to serve at the various tables
none were so fitted, not only to grace
this occasion, but also to bring her
self forward, as Estelle. Her wit, vi
vacity and esprit were needed and she
must come. The young lady begged. to
be excused. She had not gone out
since her fathers death, two years be-
| fore, and she took no interest in such
things. After much conversation, and
after eXacting n promise that she
should enter and leave the hall dis
guised, she consented. 1t was with
difficulty her brother Jerome gave his
consent, but, as usual with big broth
els, he succumbed. She would assist
but in n very retired way, and where
| she would not be recognized
There are some who can recall the
brilliant week at the old French opera
house when the fair for the poor wa:
given, in 1855. New Orleans talked
about it for several seasons aiterward
The preparations were great and the
result warranted the anticipations OF
the ladies that participated. The
auditorium was hoorsd over even
with thestage, and in this broad prom
enade booths were erected OF gorgeous
material, where the dazzling eyes OF
Creole beauties bewildered guests into
charitable extravaganza.
The streets were crowded with
arstocracy's carriages, and color q
| footmen, radiant in rich liveries stood
around the great doorway ready fol
| their masters call. After the first
night fashionable society was agoa
over the most remarkable feature Of
the entertainment. Everybody was
asking everybody else how one person
could know so much OF the private
life OF all soliciting her aid rs did the
Gypsy fortune teller, "Who was sheg
and "where did she come from?" was
on the towns lips. From her dark
tent she had sent each OF her visitors
away filed with something akin tc
awe. A small placard over its en-
trance announced, Fortunes told
here" and from the countenancei
leaving the abode, the wizard must
have had remarkable powers. Before
the night was over crowds gathered
about her retreat, and her success
was on everybody's tongue. At mid.
night she disappeared-no one could
say where.
She had given comforting words to
estranged lovers, severe ones to close
listed merchants; told correctly the
past histories OF leading citizens, and
so befogged all, her words produced
as much effect rs il she had been some
astrologer OF old. Instead OF their be-
ing matter OF sport and amusement
her representations were taken III
earnest. The next night there was
rush to the mysterious gypsy's tent.
What had been said OF her the even
Ing before was more than corroborat-
ed. 1t was the fourth night OF the
entertainment, and when the gayety
was at its climax, that tall gentle
man pushed through the throng and
sought the gypsy's abode. Paying
her usual fee he inquired, "Can you
tell me the whereabouts OF one whom
| seek?"
The dark-eyed sorceress scrutinized
him closely in the dim light OF her tent
and IN that musical voice that had so
charmed everyone replied;
eli can tell yo' what TO yo' come
ERE"
Tpray you good mother let me
know"
"To look TO- what yo' ave no seen
TO long time, han she hizhin dis oom."
The gentleman was startled. He
looked closely at the little fortune
teller.
"Yesl she not honly hiz hin del room,
but she ave saw yo'."
His face flushed. "Tell me, please"
said he, "where | can find her. Ihave
Just arrived from across the ocean
and | will do anything to see her once
more"
Han wha' TO- yo' come so iar?"